Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research

Objective

The purpose of the BRAG program Assistance Listing 10.219, is to support the generation of new information that will assist Federal regulatory agencies [USDA’s – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Biotechnology Regulatory Services (APHIS-BRS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)] in making science-based decisions about the environmental effects of introducing genetically engineered (GE) organisms by techniques that use recombinant, synthesized, or amplified nucleic acids to modify or create a genome. The organisms include plants, microorganisms (including fungi, bacteria, and viruses), arthropods, fish, birds, livestock, and other animals these include related wild and agricultural organisms. The statutory program goals and objectives are to authorize and support environmental assessment research to help identify and analyze environmental effects of biotechnology and to authorize research to help regulators develop long-term policies concerning the introduction of such technology. The BRAG program supports applied and/or fundamental research relevant to environmental risk assessment, including biological risk, and the Federal regulatory process. When evaluating GE organisms, Federal regulators must answer the following four general questions: 1. Is there a hazard? (Potential hazard identification.) 2. How likely is the hazard to occur? (Quantifying the probability of occurrence; identifying likely exposure scenarios.) 3. What is the severity and extent of the hazard if it occurs? (Quantifying the effects) and 4. Is there an effect beyond what might occur with an unmodified organism or an organism that has similar traits, but was developed using other technologies?

Who Can Apply

• Other

Any public or private research or educational institution or organization.

Who Benefits

Any public or private research or educational institution or organization.

Assistance Types

• Grant

Program Contact

john.erickson@usda.gov
(816)-283-6422